Rejecting the derogatory term "Gringos" and the accusatory epithet "Yanquis," Cubans prefer to refer to us, their North American neighbors, as "Yumas." This blog is simply one Yuma's way of sharing his thoughts on all things Cuban, a subject that often generates more heat than light.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

First Daughter and Assistant to the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500

June 13, 2017

Dear Ms. Trump:

Your passion to help female entrepreneurship around the world has been very inspiring for Cuban
entrepreneurs. As women entrepreneurs in Cuba, it is a great honor to send you this message. We
are reaching out to introduce you to our reality and to strengthen the relationship between our
countries. We also write to you with great concern U.S. policy toward Cuba might be headed
backward, in turn threatening our economic livelihoods and the overall well-being of Cubans on and
off the island.

For many years, entrepreneurship, small businesses, and the private sector were almost nonexistent
in Cuba. However, over the last several years they have begun to flourish. Still incipient, we can see
accelerated development and growth of small businesses in the country. Millions of Cubans have
benefited from this private sector growth, including higher wages, better quality products and
services, innovation, and the ability to dream about the future.

Undoubtedly, the restoration of relations between Cuba and the United States has been key to the
success of the private sector. Many businesses have been directly influenced by increased U.S. visits,
improved telecommunications, and the introduction of new U.S. products and services. Other
businesses have also been stimulated indirectly by the resuscitation of the domestic economy in
general. A setback in the relationship would bring with it the fall of many of our businesses and with
this, the suffering of all those families that depend on them.

Much of the growth has been led by Cuban women. There are hundreds of thousands of Cuban
women working in the private sector. Today we are owners of boutique hotels, B&Bs, restaurants,
and shops. We are designers, photographers, and computer programmers, and much more. On
behalf of Cuba’s female entrepreneurs, we ask for your support.

We hope you, as a successful businesswoman, understand the valuable contribution that the
exchange of trade, people, and ideas represents for our businesses. An alliance between women
would not only contribute to the stability of the private sector, but would also open a new chapter in
relations between our countries.

We would like you to accept our sincere and warm invitation. Come to Cuba and get to know our
companies, which we have built with our own efforts and that make us prouder by the day. Please
support travel, trade, and exchanges between our two countries.

Thank you for your interest and dedication to women. Thank you for building bridges worldwide.
We really appreciate your help in shaping a better future for our daughters.